Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday ordered a countrywide crackdown on smuggling and trade of smuggled items. Presiding over a high-level meeting on prevention of smuggling, Imran said that menace of smuggling caused heavy loss to the country’s economy. He said, “Effective control on smuggling is vital for boosting local industry in the country.” The prime minister said that development of agriculture and other sectors necessary to steer out the country from the swamp of loan. He said that former rulers had been sheltering money laundering and added that the current government had taken adequate measure to restore industry and the country’s economy. The meeting decided to constitute a committee headed by the interior minister to curb smuggling on Pak-Iran border and systematise Pak-Afghan transit trade. The committee comprised officials of commerce division, FBR, finance division and representatives of the provinces. The committee was given a task to review the prevailing laws and present its suggestions within a month. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, ISI DG, FBR chairman, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and other high officials were present in the meeting. Meanwhile, Imran Khan had a meeting with General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Islamabad and discussed matters related to national security. Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani, who was in Pakistan last week, also lauded the vision of PM Imran and COAS for a peaceful region. Speaking during an interview, he said, Afghanistan would fully support their efforts for achieving the shared goals of regional cooperation, prosperity and connectivity. The Afghan president appreciated the vision of Prime Minister Imran and COAS Bajwa for keenly supporting a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. Replying to a question, he said global scenario had been changing and all countries in the region want to cooperate with each other. He also expressed the desire to promote economic connectivity with Pakistan.